Travel envelope with baggage ticket and baggage claim ticket

ABSTRACT

A travel envelope for enclosing an airline ticket is disclosed which includes as an integral part thereof a baggage ticket which can be torn away therefrom and attached to the baggage of the traveler with a string. A baggage claim ticket is also detachably connected to the envelope. Duplicate indicia are applied to both the baggage ticket and baggage claim ticket for identifying purposes.

United States Patent 1191 McKay 229/74 1111 3,788,540 Sammons 1 Jan. 29,1974 [54] TRAVEL ENVELOPE WITH BAGGAGE 3,537,637 11/1970 Hiersteiner229/70 I E A BAGGAGE CLAIM TICKET 3,655,119 4/1972 Thompson.. 229/702,024,417 12/1935 Andrews 229/74 Inventor: David Summons. 5 y e2,345,342 3/1944 14111111 229/74 SW, Atlanta, Ga. 30312 2,391,67312/1945 Broudy 229/75 X Filed: n- 9 2 1,131,276 3/1915 Sanxay 229/74[21] Appl. No.: 227,815 Primary Examiner-Herbert F. Ross AssistantExaminer-Stephen P. Garbe 52 US. Cl 229/72, 40/6, 206/D1G. 29, Mom, Age,Thmas Askew 229/51 WB, 229/70, 229/74, 283/20 [51] Int. Cl 865d 27/08[57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 229/70, 72,74 75, 73 81, A travelenvelo 4 i pe for enclosing an airline ticket 1s d1s- 51 2 6 9 18 closedwhich includes as an integral part thereof a baggage ticket which can betorn away therefrom and [56] References cued attached to the baggage ofthe traveler with a string. A UNITED STATES PATENTS baggage claim ticketis also detachably connected to 458,1 17 8/1891 De Long 229/73 theenvelope. Duplicate indicia are applied to both the 3,343,749 9 o st229/72 baggage ticket and baggage claim ticket for identifying Fetterspurposes 3,187,976 6/1965 Struble 229/51 WB X 2,099,029 11/1937 6Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATE NI ED JAN 2 91974 lllll 1 TRAVEL ENVELOPEWITH BAGGAGE TICKET AND BAGGAGE CLAIM TICKET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMost airlines provide a ticket envelope with each travel ticket sold toits passengers, and the travel ticket is usually inserted in a pocket ofthe envelope. The envelope pocket is open along two adjacent edges so asto facilitate the insertion and retrieval of the travel ticket from theenvelope.

If the airline passenger carries luggage, etc. which is to be handledseparately 'and carried in the baggage compartment. on the aircraft, thepassenger usually delivers the luggage to an airline representative,usually at the ticket purchasing counter, and the airline representativeattaches a baggage ticket to each piece of luggage and provides thepassenger with baggage claim tickets which are usually stubs torn awayfrom the baggage tickets. The stubs or baggage claim tickets are usuallyinserted in or stapled to the ticket envelope. The airlinerepresentative must therefore handle the airline ticket, the ticketenvelope, the baggage ticket, and the stub or baggage claim ticket whenprocessing a single passenger with a single piece of luggage. Theseparate manufacture of the baggage tickets and their stubs and theseparate. handling of these itemswith the other items necessary forprocessing each passenger is expensive and burdensome to the airline.

' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described, the present inventioncomprises a travel envelope for airlines, etc., where the baggage ticketand baggage claim ticket for the baggage of the passenger are providedas an integral part of the ticket envelope. The envelope assembly,includingthe baggage ticket and claim. ticket, is formed from a singlecontinuous sheet of material, and serrations divide the baggage ticketand claim ticket from the envelope so that the tickets can be readilydetached from the envelope without damaging the envelope. The ticketshave duplicate numbers and other indici'a applied thereto foridentification purposes, and a string threaded through FIG. 4 is apartial perspective view of the envelope, showing the manner in whichthe reinforcing tabs of the baggage ticket are folded with respect tothe layers of material which form the baggage ticket.

FIG. 5 is a partial view of the travel envelope, similar to FIG. 3, butshowing a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial illustration of the modified form of the travelenvelope, showing one panel folded over the middle panel.

FIG. 7 is a partial view of the travel envelope, similar to FIG. 6 butshowing a second modified form of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial illustration of the second modified form of thetravel envelope, showing the baggage claim ticket and baggage ticketfolded closed and ready for a hole in the baggage ticket'can be tied toluggage, etc.

in the conventional manner to attach the baggage ticket to the luggage.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a travelenvelope for a passenger ticket and which has detachably connectedthereto a baggage ticket and a baggage claim ticket.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an expedient andinexpensive means of identifying passenger luggage.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon reading the following specification, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thetravel envelope assembly, showing the envelope in its opened positionand exposing the inside surfaces of the envelope.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an unfolded envelope cludes the baggageclaim ticket.

USS.

V DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in more detail tothe drawing, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout theseveral views, FIG. 1 shows travel envelope assembly 10 which comprisesa main portion or envelope 1 1, baggage ticket- 12, and baggage claimticket 13. As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the entire envelope assembly 10is fabricated from a single continuous sheet of material or blank 14.The envelope portion of the assembly includes a short left panel 15,middle panel 16 and right panel 17. Panels 15, 16, and 17 are formed bytwo parallel fold lines 18 and 19 which extend along the length of theblank 14. Left panel 15 is shorter than both the middle panel 16 andright panel 17, and left panel 15 is folded at fold line 18 over into aclose folded relationship with respect to middle panel 16, as shown inFIG. 1.

Middle panel 16 includes an extension 20 which extends from the bottomedge of the middle panel and is divided from the middle panel by foldline 21. As is illust rated in FIG. 1, extension 20 is folded over leftpanel 15, and spots of glue 22 and 23 at the edges of extension 20 holdextension 20 and left panel 15 in their folded over positions so'that apocket 25 is formed with two adjacent closed edges at fold lines 18 and21 and with the remaining two edges left open. Perforations 26 areformed along fold line 21, and perforations 27 and 28 intersectperforations 26 inwardly between the glue spots 22 and 23 and extendtoward the outer edge of extension 20 to define baggage claim ticket l3.Notches 29 and 30 are formed in the outer edge of extension 20 at theends of serrations 27 and 28.

Right side panel 17 includes extension 31 at its lower end. Extension 31is divided from right panel 17 by perforations 32, and extension 31includes a fold line 33 intermediate its ends which is parallel toperforations 32. Tabs 35 and 36 are equally spaced on opposite sides offold line 33 and protrude from one edge of extension 31 and are dividedfrom the main portion of extension 31 by fold lines 37 and 38. Holes 39and 40 are centrally formed in tabs 35 and 36 and holes 41 and 42 areformed in extension 31 at equally spaced distances on the opposite sideof fold lines 37 and 38 from holes 39 and 40. As is illustrated in FIG.4, extension 31 is folded along fold line 33 while tabs 35 and 36 arefolded along their fold lines 37 and 38 between the layers of extension31. When the extension is folded in this manner with glue applied to itsfacing surfaces, the baggage ticket 12 is formed. The holes 39, 40, 41and 42 register with each other so that the baggage ticket is formedwith a hole 44 through which string 45 is threaded.

Holes 47 and 48 are formed in middle panel 16 and side panel 17 adjacenttheir upper edges, and cuts 49 and 50 intersect holes 47 and 48 andextend to the edge of the panels. Holes 47 and 48 are aligned with eachother when the envelope assembly is folded closed.

As is illustrated in FIGS. and 6, an alternate form of the envelopeassembly can be provided wherein left panel a has glue 51 appliedthereto along its bottom edge so that when left panel 15a is folded overmiddle panel 16a, the glue 51 holds these panels in their foldedpositions. In addition, ink spots 52 and. 53 are applied to extension31a at its corners, while inkspots 54 and 55 are applied to the outsidesurface of left panel 15a. Inkspots 52-55 are spaced so that whenextension a is folded over left panel 15a, the inkspots 53 and 55 willabut each other while inkspots 52 and 54 will abut each other. Spots ofglue are applied to each of the inkspots 52-55, and the inkspots inhibitthe material from which the envelope assembly is fabricated fromabsorbing all of the glue so that a portion of each glue spot sets up onthe surfaces of the extension 20a and left panel 15a. Thus, whenextension 200 is folded over left panel 15a, the glue spots on inkspots52 -55 will abut each other and tend to hold the extension in its foldedposition. When the extension is pried away from the envelope, the gluespots will part so that the extension will not be damaged. In this formof the invention, the entire extension 20a comprises the baggage claimticket, and the perforations 26a extend along the fold line between theextension 20a and the middle panel 16a and the entire extension can beremoved from the envelope. When the extension or baggage claim ticket20a is removed from the envelope by tearing along perforations 26a, thepocket of the envelope will remain intact since the glue spot 51 alongthe inside surface of left panel 15a will hold the left panel to themiddle panel 16a. In order to provide an additional pocket feature tothe assembly, elongated slot 56 is formed in left panel 15a. Any shortpapers, stubs, etc., which might fit through slot 56 can be insertedtherein and carried with the envelope without hazard of dropping thesepapers when the baggage claim ticket 20a is torn away from the envelope.Also, as long as the baggage claim ticket 20a remains connected to theenvelope by means of its glue spots, the baggage claim ticket will forman additional pocket structure and stubs, papers, etc. can be inserteddown into the pocket.

Duplicate indicia 58 and 59 are applied to baggage claim ticket l3 andbaggage ticket 12. The indicia usually will include a series of numbersand various word designations such as a destination city and airlineidentification. In addition, baggage claim instructions and otherinformation can be included on either or bothof the tickets. While thenumbers applied to both tickets on a single envelope will be identical,the numbers applied to other envelopes will be in series so that thebaggage to which a baggage ticket is connected can be identified by theenvelope holder upon referring to the numbers on his baggage claimticket.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a second modified form of the travelenvelope can be provided wherein left panel 15b has a crescent-shapedslot 60 cut therethrough. A line of glue 61 is applied to extension 20badjacent its fold line 21b, and perforations 26b are spaced away fromfold line 21b on extension 20b. The

line of glue 61 is located between perforations 26b and fold line 21b.inkspots 52b and 53b are applied to the inside surface of extension 20b,while inkspots 54b and 55b are applied to the outside surface of leftpanel 15b. Glue is applied on the surface of inkspots 52b-55b. Thespacing of the inkspots and superposed glue spots is such that whenextension 20b is folded along its fold line 21b in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 8, the inkspots will register with each other andtheir superposed spots of glue will hold the extension 20b folded overleft panel 15b. In addition, the line of glue 61 will hold the portionof extension 20b between fold line 21b and perforations 26b to thebottom edge of left panel 15b.

In this form of the invention, the portion of the extension 20b abovethe perforations 26b (FIG. 8) will form the baggage claim ticket, andthe traveler will insert his finger between left panel 15b and thebaggage claim ticket and pull the baggage claim ticket until its gluespots separate from the glue spots of left panel 15b, and then thetraveler will tear the baggage claim ticket from the envelope assemblyalong perforations 26b. The line of glue 61 (FIG. 7) holds left panel15b in its closed or folded over position after the baggage claim tickethas been separated from the envelope assembly.

The crescent-shaped slot 60 forms a pocket opening for receiving smallstubs, etc., before or after the baggage claim ticket is removed fromthe envelope assembly. The crescent shape of the slot 60 provides easysliding access to the pocket opening.

A supply of travel envelope assemblies 10 usually will be maintained ata ticket purchasing counter of an airline, etc., and when a passengerticket has been prepared and sold by the airline representative, anenvelope will be pulled from a nail extending through holes 47 and 48and the passenger ticket will be inserted in the pocket 25 of theenvelope assembly. If the passenger has luggage to be checked with theairline for separate transportation in the storage compartment of tneaircraft, the ticket agent will detach the baggage ticket 12 from theenvelope assembly 10 and connect the baggage ticket by means of string45 to the baggage. No handling of a claim check is required. When thepassenger arrives at his destination, he can claim his baggage bydetaching his baggage claim ticket 13 from his envelope assembly andcomparing the numbers and other indicia on his baggage claim ticket withthe baggage tickets of the luggage at the baggage claim area. Thus, thebaggage claim ticket is not individually handled by either the ticketagent or the passenger until the passenger is ready to claim hisluggage.

In the event the passenger does not check any luggage, the baggageticket 12 can remain attached to the evnelope assembly and merely foldedup along the perforations 32, if desired, so as to be folded inside theenvelope. Also, the airline representative at the ticket purchasingcounter can merely tear off the baggage ticket if he desires.

In the event that the passenger has more than one article of baggage,additional baggage tickets and stubs can be provided by the airlinerepresentative by tearing off baggage tickets and baggage claims ticketsfrom other unused travel envelope assemblies, connecting the baggagetickets individually to each additional piece of baggage, and insertingthe baggage claim tickets in the pocket of the envelope assembly.

While this invention has been described in detail with particularreference to preferred embodiments thereof,

it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effectedwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinbeforeand as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An envelope assembly formed from a single continuous sheet ofmaterial folded twice along its length to form three panels including aleft side panel, a middle panel and a right side panel, said left sidepanel being folded to overlie said middle panel, an extension on one endof said middle panel, said extension being folded over said left sidepanel and fixed thereto, said extension including perforations whereby aselected portion of said extension can be separated from said extension,said selected portion constituting a baggage claim ticket, a baggageticket on one end of said right side panel, said baggage'ticket beingattached tosaid right side panel through a perforated line, andduplicate indiciaapplied to both said baggage ticket and said baggageclaim ticket.

2. The envelope assembly of claim 1 and wherein said baggage ticket isformed by at least two layers of said sheet material and defines a holetherein, and further including a string member strung through the holeof said baggage ticket for attaching the baggage ticket to baggage orthe like.

3. The envelope assembly of claim 1 and wherein said baggage ticketcomprises a first layer of said material attached-at one of its edges tosaid right side panel, a second layer of said material folded over saidfirst layer of material, a tab extending from mutual edges of both thefirst and second layers of material of said baggage ticket and foldedinwardly between the layers of material, aligned holes defined in eachof said first and second layers of material and in said tabs, and astring threaded through the holes.

4. The envelope assembly of claim 1 and wherein said extension is gluedat its side edges to said left side panel and perforations are formedalong each side edge inwardly of its glued area, with the side edgeperforations intersecting perforations formed along the line ofattachment between said middle panel'and said extension, and notchesformed at the edge opposite from the line of attachment between'saidmiddle panel and said extension, said notches being formed at the endsof said side edge perforations.

5. The envelope assembly of claim 1 and wherein said baggage claimticket and said one side panel both include spaced apart printed areasand spots of glue applied to the printed areas, said printed areasinhibiting the material of the envelope from absorbing all of the glue,whereby the glue spots of the baggage claim ticket are attached to theglue spots of said one panel and said baggage claim ticket can be pulledapart from said one panel and the. glue spots will separatesubstantially without damaging the baggage claim ticket.

6. An envelope assembly formed from a single continuous sheet ofmaterial folded twice along its length to form three panels, the middlepanel comprising an extension at one of its edges folded over along afold line and glued to a side panel and holding the side panel in itsfolded position with respect to said middle panel, said extensionincluding a baggage claim ticket, and a baggage ticket connected to theother side panel with a line of perforations formed between said otherpanel and said baggage ticket whereby said baggage ticket can be tornawayvfrom said envelope assembly, said baggage ticket comprising a firstlayer of said material connected to said other side panel, a first tabon said first layer of material, said first layer of said materialhaving a first hole therein, said first tab having a second holetherein, said first tab being folded to overlie said first layer of saidmaterial, and said first hole and said second hole being in registrationwith each other, a second layer of said material joined along a foldline to said first layer of said material and having a third holetherein, a second tab on said second layer of said material having afourth hole therein, said second tab being folded to overlie said secondlayer of said material and said third hole and said fourth hole being inregistration with each other, said second layer of said material beingfolded to overlie said first layer of said material with said first taband said second tab therebetween, and said first hole, said second hole,said third hole and said fourth hole in registration with one another.

1. An envelope assembly formed from a single continuous sheet ofmaterial folded twice along its length to form three panels including aleft side panel, a middle panel and a right side panel, said left sidepanel being folded to overlie said middle panel, an extension on one endof said middle panel, said extension being folded over said left sidepanel and fixed thereto, said extension including perforations whereby aselected portion of said extension can be separated from said extension,said selected portion constituting a baggage claim ticket, a baggageticket on one end of said right siDe panel, said baggage ticket beingattached to said right side panel through a perforated line, andduplicate indicia applied to both said baggage ticket and said baggageclaim ticket.
 2. The envelope assembly of claim 1 and wherein saidbaggage ticket is formed by at least two layers of said sheet materialand defines a hole therein, and further including a string member strungthrough the hole of said baggage ticket for attaching the baggage ticketto baggage or the like.
 3. The envelope assembly of claim 1 and whereinsaid baggage ticket comprises a first layer of said material attached atone of its edges to said right side panel, a second layer of saidmaterial folded over said first layer of material, a tab extending frommutual edges of both the first and second layers of material of saidbaggage ticket and folded inwardly between the layers of material,aligned holes defined in each of said first and second layers ofmaterial and in said tabs, and a string threaded through the holes. 4.The envelope assembly of claim 1 and wherein said extension is glued atits side edges to said left side panel and perforations are formed alongeach side edge inwardly of its glued area, with the side edgeperforations intersecting perforations formed along the line ofattachment between said middle panel and said extension, and notchesformed at the edge opposite from the line of attachment between saidmiddle panel and said extension, said notches being formed at the endsof said side edge perforations.
 5. The envelope assembly of claim 1 andwherein said baggage claim ticket and said one side panel both includespaced apart printed areas and spots of glue applied to the printedareas, said printed areas inhibiting the material of the envelope fromabsorbing all of the glue, whereby the glue spots of the baggage claimticket are attached to the glue spots of said one panel and said baggageclaim ticket can be pulled apart from said one panel and the glue spotswill separate substantially without damaging the baggage claim ticket.6. An envelope assembly formed from a single continuous sheet ofmaterial folded twice along its length to form three panels, the middlepanel comprising an extension at one of its edges folded over along afold line and glued to a side panel and holding the side panel in itsfolded position with respect to said middle panel, said extensionincluding a baggage claim ticket, and a baggage ticket connected to theother side panel with a line of perforations formed between said otherpanel and said baggage ticket whereby said baggage ticket can be tornaway from said envelope assembly, said baggage ticket comprising a firstlayer of said material connected to said other side panel, a first tabon said first layer of material, said first layer of said materialhaving a first hole therein, said first tab having a second holetherein, said first tab being folded to overlie said first layer of saidmaterial, and said first hole and said second hole being in registrationwith each other, a second layer of said material joined along a foldline to said first layer of said material and having a third holetherein, a second tab on said second layer of said material having afourth hole therein, said second tab being folded to overlie said secondlayer of said material and said third hole and said fourth hole being inregistration with each other, said second layer of said material beingfolded to overlie said first layer of said material with said first taband said second tab therebetween, and said first hole, said second hole,said third hole and said fourth hole in registration with one another.